Retrievable well packer



March 28, 1967 L. F. CASTRO RETRIEVABLE WELL PACKER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 29, 1964 March 28, 1967 L. F. CASTRO RETRIEVABLE WELL PACKER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 29, 1964 a w m INVENTOR. L045 1 (T017790 March 28, 1967 L. F. CASTRO 3,311,171

RETRIEVABLE WELL PACKER Filed June 29, 1964 s Sheets-Sheet 5 WMFW United States Patent 3,311,171 RETRIEVABLE WELL PACKE Luis F. Castro, Houston, Tex., assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed June 29, 1964, Ser. No. 378,796

14 Claims. (Cl. 166196) The present invention relates to subsurface wellbore equipment, and more particularly to well packers, preferably of the retrievable type, adapted to be set in tubular strings disposed in well bores.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved well packer adapted to be lowered in a tubing string, or the like, on a running-in string and adapted to be packedotf therein by imposing a longitudinal force thereon, as, for example, a downwardly directed jarring force, the packer being readily released when desired by imposing a longitudinal force therein, as for example, an upwardly directed jarring force.

Another object of the invention is to prvide a well packer adapted to be lowered in a tubing string, or the like, on a running-in string and adapted to be packedolf therein by imposing a longitudinal force thereon, the packing element being retained in packed-off condition by preventing motion of the packer parts so that the packing element cannot relax or inadvertently shift toward its retracted position, the packing element being readily releasable from the tubing string so that it can return to its initial retracted position, allowing withdrawal of the packer from the tubing string.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accmpanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURES l and 1a together constitute a longitudinal section of a well packer disposed in a well casing in conjunction with associated equipment therein, the well packer being in its initial condition for longitudinal movement through the tubing string, a part of the associated equipment being disclosed in side elevation, FIG. 1a being a lower continuation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along the line 22 on FIG. la;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section through the upper portion of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1a;

FIGS. 4 and 4a are views corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 1a, illustrating the well packer in packed-off condition within the tubing string, FIG. 411 being a lower continuation of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 5 and 5a are views correspnding to FIGS. 1 and la, illustrating the well packer after its release from the tubing string, and conditioned for withdrawal from the latter, FIG. 50 being a lower continuation of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a view of the retrieving apparatus in conjunction with the upper portion of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, illustrating the release of the packing portion of the apparatus from its expanded position;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of the ratchet lock mechanism forming part of the well packer.

The well packer A illustrated in the drawings is specif- 3,31 1,171 Patented Mar. 28, 1967 ically designed to be lowered in a tubing string B disposed in a well bore and extending to the top thereof, to be packed-01f within such tubing string, and retrieved when it is no longer required. The well packer is lowered in the tubing string through use of a suitable running-in tool C, connected to the upper portion of the well packer and to a running-in string D, into engagement with a suitable stop device E (FIGS. 4a, 5a) previously installed in the tubing string, after which the well packer can be packed-off against the wall of the tubing string. When its retrieval is desired, a suitable spear or retrieving mechanism F (FIG. 6) is lowered in the tubing string into coupling relation to the upper portion of the well packer A, to release the latter from the tubing string and elevate it through the latter to the top of the well bore.

As specifically illustrated, the well packer includes a body made of several relatively movable parts. Thus, an upper body section or member 10 is tubular and has a bore 11 therein to function as a suitable receptacle, as, for example, for a seating assembly of a downhole pump (not shown). This bore opens into an upper counterbore 12 adapted to receive the lower portion of the mandrel 13 of the running-in tool C, which has an outwardly directed shoulder 14 engaging a companion upwardly facing shoulder 15 of the receptacle, the running-in tool being initially releasably secured to the receptacle 10 by a shear screw 16, or the like. The mandrel 13 has an upper threaded pin 17 for threadedly attaching it to the running-in string, which may include a sinker bar 18, or the like, suitably attached to a wire line D extending to the top of the well bore. The mandrel 13 further includes a central passage 19 communicating with the receptacle bore 11, there being an upper side port 20 extending between the mandrel passage and the exterior of the running-in tool.

The upper body member or section 10 is piloted over an intermediate body member or section 21, the upper body member having an inwardly directed flange 22 engaging the upper head end 23 of the intermediate body member. The upper and intermediate body members 10, 21 are retained initially in such relative position by one or more shear screws 24 threaded into a depending sleeve or skirt portion 25 of the upper body member and disposed immediately under an external flange 26 of the intermediate body member. -One or more additional screws 27, which may also be shear screws, are threaded in the retainer sleeve portion 25 of the upper body member and overlie the external body flange 26. Such screws are adapted to move upwardly with the upper body member 10 relative to the intermediate body member 21 and into engagement with the upper head or flange 23 of the intermediate body member when the well packer A is to be retrieved from the tubing string B, as described hereinbelow.

A packing structure 28 surrounds the intermediate body member. It includes a packing element 29 of rubberlike material, which inherently tends to occupy a retracted condition, such as disclosed in FIG. 1a, its upper end engaging an upper gauge ring 30, the upper surface of which contacts a split thrust and retainer ring 31 disposed in a peripheral groove 32 in the intermediate body member. The retainer ring has its upper inner corner 33 tapered in a downward direction for coaction with a companion tapered upper side 34 of the groove. It is held initially in the groove by the depending retainer sleeve or skirt portion 25 of the upper body member or receptacle it which encompasses the ring 31, and the lower end 25a of which terminates closely adjacent to the upper gauge ring 30. V

The lower end of the packing element 29 engages a lower gauge ring 35 of the packing structure 28, which abuts the upper end of a lower body member 36 telescoped over the lower portion of the intermediate body member 21. The intermediate body member can move downwardly relative to the lower body member, but its upward movement relative thereto is prevented. Thus, a one-way lock device 37 is provided between the intermediate and lower body members 21, 36. As shown, the intermediate body member has a plurality of circumferential ratchet teeth 38 extending longitudinally therealong, which face in an upward direction and which may be formed as a buttress thread on the exterior of the intermediate member 21. A split ratchet sleeve or ring 39 having internal teeth 40, or a right-hand thread, companion to the external ratchet teeth 38 on the body member surrounds the latter and is disposed within the upper ratchet housing portion 41 of the lower body member 36. The exterior of the sleeve 39 has cam teeth 42, which may be in the form of a right-hand buttress thread, engageable with a companion buttress thread 43 in the ratchet housing portion 41. The tapered surfaces of the coengaging external and internal teeth or threads 42, 43 incline in an upward and inward direction so that any tendency for the lower tubular body member 36 to move relatively downwardly along the intermediate body member 21 cams the sleeve 39 inwardly to retain its ratchet teeth or thread 40 in full mesh with the body teeth on thread 38. However, upon relative downward movement of the intermediate body 21 within the lower tubular body member 36, the ratchet sleeve 39 first moves downwardly therewith to a position of ample lateral clearance between its cam teeth 42 and the housing cam teeth 43, whereupon the tapered ratchet threads 38, 40 can cam and expand the sleeve outwardly so that the ratchet teeth or thread 38 on the intermediate body 21 can slide or ratchet past the internal teeth or thread 40 of the split sleeve or ring. A limit screw 45 may be threaded in the ratchet housing portion 41 above the upper end of the ratchet sleeve 39 to prevent any substantial inadvertent turning or threading of the lower tubular body member 36 relative to the ratchet sleeve.

As stated above, the packer A is lowered in the tubing string B toward a suitable tubing stop E. As shown by way of example, such tubing stop (FIGS. 4a, a) may include a mandrel 50 having a tapered expander portion 51 engaging companion slips 52, which are urged outwardly by the expander to anchor their teeth or wickers 53 against the wall of the tubing string. The lower portion of the lower body member 36has a downwardly opening counterbore 54 adapted to receive the mandrel 50, which can engage the upper base 55 of the counterbore.

The well packer apparatus is assembled in the condition illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1a, in which the receptacle flange 22 contacts the upper head or flange 23 of the intermediate body member 21, the lower shear screws 24 being disposed immediately below the external flange 26 of the intermediate body member, which is in spaced relation to the upper body head or flange to provide a neck portion 56 therebetween in which the upper shear screw or screws 27 are disposed. With the upper body member and intermediate member 21 in abutting relation as shown, the skirt portion 25 of the upper body member encompasses the split thrust and retainer ring 31, securing it within its groove 32 and in bearing relation to the upper gauge ring 30 of the packing structure 28. The lower tubular body member 36 is telescoped over the intermediate body member 21, with its upper end 57 engaging the lower thrust ring 35, these body members being releasably secured to one another by one or more shear screws 58 disposed below the ratchet teeth or thread 38. A suitable side seal ring 59 is mounted in the lower portion of the intermediate body member 21, sealing against the wall of the lower tubular body member 36. In a similar manner, leakage of fluid between the intermediate body member 21 and the upper body member 41 or receptacle 10 is prevented by a suitable seal ring 60 disposed in the head or flange 23 of the intermediate member and sealingly engaging the wall of the upper body member below its internal flange 22.

The running-in tool C is releasably secured to the receptacle 10 by means of a shear screw 16, as disclosed in FIG. 1, and such tool is attached to the sinker bar 18 of the running-in string D. This apparatus is lowered in the tubing string B until the lowertubular member 35 comes to rest against the mandrel 50 of the tubing stop E previously installed in the tubing string. During such lowering movement, fluid in the tubing string can bypass through the well packer apparatus A, flowing up- Wardly through the passage in the lower tubular body member 36, intermediate body member 21, upper body member 10, and running-in mandrel passage 19, discharging through its upper port or ports 20 into the tubing string above the apparatus.

Following engagement of the lower tubular body member 36 with the tubing stop E (FIGS. 4, 4a), the packing element 29 can be expanded and packed-off against the wall of the tubing string B by imposing a downward force on the upper receptacle or body member 110, which shifts the intermediate body member 21 downwardly within the lower body member 36, which is prevented from moving downwardly by the tubing stop device E. Such downward imposed force first shears the screws 58 releasably retaining the intermediate body member 21 to the lower body member 36, the intermediate body member moving downwardly within the lower body member, such downward movement being transmitted through its tapered shoulder 34 to the split thrust and retainer ring 31 and thence to the upper gauge ring 30, the latter shifting toward the stationary lower gauge ring 35, which cannot move downwardly, to shorten the packing element 29 and expand it firmly outwardly against the wall of the tubing string B. During such downward movement of the intermediate body member 21, the ratchet sleeve 39 expands and allows the external teeth or buttress thread 38 to ratchet freely through it. Return or upward movement of the intermediate body member 21 relative to the lower body member 36 is prevented by the one-way locking action of the ratchet sleeve 39, since any tendency for it to move upwardly causes the cam teeth or faces 42, 43 to urge and hold the sleeve in full mesh with the ratchet teeth 38 of the intermediate body member. Suflicient downward force is imposed through the upper body member 10 on the intermediate body member 21 to insure the firm pack-off of the packing element 29 against the wall of the tubing B, and also against the periphery of the intermediate tubular body member 21 (FIGS. 4, 4a).

The downward force imposed on the upper and intermediate body members 10, 21- can be secured by jarring downwardly upon them, the downward jarring force being transmitted directly from the running-in mandrel 13 through the shoulders 14, 15 to the upper body member 10, and directly from the upper body member to the head 23 of the intermediate body member 21, such direct transmission of force continuing through the tapered shoulder 34 and split thrust and retainer ring 31 to the upper gauge ring 30, and thence to the :packing element 29. A substantial downward jarring force can be imposed, insuring the full expansion and packing off of the packing element 29 against the wall of the well casing, and also against the periphery of the body member 21. Once packed-off, the parts cannot move relative to one another because of the action of the one-way lock device 37 that prevents return relative longitudinal movement between the intermeditae and lower body members 21, 36.

During the imposition of downwardly directed force on the apparatus, as by jarring downwardly thereon, the lower shear screw '58 is the only one of its kind subjected to any force, since it is to disrupted preparatory to expanding the packing element 29 against the tubing string B. The other shear screws 24, 27, 16 do not have any downwardly directed force imposed upon them, and will, therefore, remain intact.

After the well packer A has been set in the tubing string, the running-in mandrel or tool C is released by jarring upwardly on it to disrupt the shear screw 16, w ereupon the running-in string D and running-in mandrel 13 can be elevated in the tubing string and removed entirely therefrom. The shear strength of the shear screw 16 retaining the mandrel to the receptacle is much less than the strength of the shear screws 24 disposed under the intermediate body flange 26.

Other apparatus (not shown) can be lowered into the tubing string B and placed in association with the well packer A. For example, the seating assembly (not shown) of a downhole pump (not shown) may be forced into the receptacle 10. Other types of apparatus may also be attached to the receptacle which, if desired, can assume different specific designs to accommodate the other equipment.

When it is desired to release the packing element 29, an upwardly directed force is imposed on the upper body member or receptacle 10, as, for example through use of the retrieving spear or tool F disclosed in FIG. 6. The running-in string is threadedly attached to the upper end of a retrieving mandrel 70, to which is threadedly secured an expander 71 having a split slip sleeve 72 thereon provided with an internally tapered surface 73 conforming to the external taper 74 of the expander, the slip having external teeth 75 thereon. When the lower end 76 of the retrieving mandrel engages the upper shoulder of the receptacle It the slip 72 is disposed within the counterbore 12 of the receptacle. An upward pull taken on the running-in string D, retrieving mandrel 70 and expander 71 causes the latter to wedge the slip sleeve 72 outwardly and embed its teeth 75 in the wall of the counterbore, connecting the spear F to the receptacle 10. An upward force, such as an upward jarring force, can be imposed by the running-in string through the spear onto the receptacle or upper body member 10, the shear screws 24 being jarred against the intermediate flange 2 6 and being sheared or disrupted. Shearing of the screws 24 allows the receptacle or upper body member 10 to move upwardly and elevates its lower skirt portion 2521 from encompassing relation to the split thrust and retainer ring 31, allowing the packing element 29, which inherently tends to retract, to shift the gauge ring 30 upwardly against the split retainer ring 31 and cam the latter out of its groove or recess 32, as assisted by the tapered surfaces 33, 3 4, the packing sleeve 29 then being permitted to relax and return to its initial retracted position, as disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 5a. The upper body member 10 can move upwardly until the upper shear screws 27 engage the intermediate body head 23, whereupon continued upward movement of the running-in string D will move all of the body members 10, 21, 36 upwardly as a unit, the lower body member 36 being elevated from the tubing stop E, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5a. The well packer A can now be elevated in the tubing string B by means of the running-in string D and removed at the top of the well bore.

If, for some reason, the packing element 29 does not release upon shearing of the lower set of screws 24, upward jarring through the spear F on the upper body member or receptacle 10 can continue, which will cause the upper set of shear screws 27 to contact the head 23 and also be sheared, thereby releasing the receptacle 10 from the intermediate body member 21 and allowing its elevation on the running-in string D to the top of the tubing. The removal of the upper body member 10 from the lower body member 21 leaves the fishing neck 56 exposed between the head 23 and the body flange 26. A suitable fishing tool (not shown) can then be lowered in the tubing string B and placed over such neck portion 56 of the intermediate body member for appropriate upward jarring on the latter, to effect release of the well packer A from the tubing string B.

By virtue of the well packer apparatus illustrated and described, the packing element 29 can be firmly packedofi against the wall of the tubing string B, the downwardly directed pack-off force being solidly imposed on the upper end of the packer element through the split thrust and retainer ring 31. This ring will remain in its position within the groove 32 as long as the skirt or sleeve portion 25 of the upper body member 10 encompasses it, and will, therefore, prevent any relaxation of the packing element, which could occur if upward movement of the upper gauge ring 30 were permitted. When the packing element 29 is to be allowed to return to its retracted position, it is a relatively simple matter to shear the screws 24 and remove the encompassing and retaining sleeve 25 from the retainer ring 31, allowing its upward shifting out of its groove 32, which is assisted by the fact of its engagement with the tapered surface 34 of the body member, which tends to cam the split ring outwardly of the groove. When held inwardly within the groove by the encompassing sleeve 25, the ring is capable of transmitting large forces, when effecting expansion of the packing element 29 or in resisting any tendency of the packing element to retract. Accordingly, inadvertent release of the packing element from its expanded condition is prevented.

In the event that the packing element 29 is sealed subsequently more firmly against the tubing B and the body member 21, as by imposing additional downward force on the receptacle 10 and intermediate body member 21 by some other tool that might be associated with the upper body member 10', such additional pack-off force will .be retained, inasmuch as the one-way latch device 37 prevents return or upward telescoping movement of the intermediate body member 21 relative to the lower body member 36.

I claim:

1. In a well packer: an outer body member; an inner body member extending into said outer member; initially retracted packing means on saidinner member engageable at one end by said outer member; retainer means releasably coupled to said inner member and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means whereby said inner member can telescope relatively inwardly within said outer member and shift said retainer means relatively toward said outer member and expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said outer member in the position to which it has been telescopcd; and releasable means holding said retainer means coupled to said inner body member during telescoping of said inner member relatively inwardly within said outer member.

2. In a well packer: an outer body member; an inner body member extending into said outer member; initially retracted packing means on said'inner member engageable at one end by said outer member; retainer means releasably coupled to said inner member and engageable with the opposite end'of said packing means whereby said inner member can telescope relatively inwardly within said outer member and shift said retainer means relatively toward said outer member and expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said outer member in the position to which it has been telescopcd; and releasable means on said inner member engaging and holding said retainer means coupled to said inner member and movable from engagement with said retainer means to permit uncoupling of said retainer means from said inner member.

3. In a well packer: an outer body member; an inner body member extending into said outer member; initially retracted packing means on said inner member engageable at one end by said outer member; retainer means releasably coupled to said inner member and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means whereby said inner member can telescope relatively inwardly within said outer member and shift said retainer means relatively toward said outer member and expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said outer member in the position to whichit has been telescoped; a sleeve on said inner member engaging and holding said retainer means coupled to said inner member, said sleeve being movable on said inner member from engagement with said retainer means to permit uncoupling of said retainer means from said inner member; and means releasably retaining said sleeve in holding relation to said retainer means.

4; In a well packer: a first outer body member; an inner body member extending into the first outer member; initially retracted packing means on said inner mem ber engageable at one end by said first outer member; retainer means releasably coupled to said inner member and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means; a second outer body member disposed over said inner member and engaging and holding said retainer means coupled to said inner member, whereby relative telescoping movement of said inner member within said first outer member shifts said retainer means relatively toward said first outer member and expands said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said first outer member in the position to which it has been relatively telescoped; and means releasably retaining said second outer body mem ber in holding relation to said retainer means.

5. In a well packer: a first outer body member; an inner body member extending into said first outer member; initially retracted packing means on said inner member engageable at one end by said first outer member; retainer means releasably coupled to said inner member and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means; a second outer body member disposed over said inner member and engaging and holding said retainer means coupled to said inner member, said second member engaging said inner member to effect relative telescoping movement of said inner member within said first member to shift said retainer means relatively toward' said first outer member and expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said first outer member in the position to which it has been relatively telescoped; and means releasably retaining said second outer body member in holding relation to said retainer means.

6. In a well packer: a first outer body member; an inner body member extending into said first outer member and having a recess; initially retracted packing means on said inner member engageable at one end by said first outer member; a retainer member in said recess and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means; a second outer body member disposed over said inner member and engaging and holding said retainer member coupled to said inner member, whereby relative telescoping movement of said inner member within said first outer member shifts said retainer member relative-1y toward said first outer member and extends said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said first outer member in the position to which it has been relatively telescoped; and means releasably retaining said second outer body member in holding relation to said retainer member.

7. In a well packer: a first outer body member; an inner body member extending into said first outer member and having a recess; initially retracted packing means on said inner member engageable at one end by said first outer member; a retainer member in said recess and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means; a second outer body member disposed over said inner member and engaging and holding said retainer member coupled to said inner member, said second member engaging said inner member to effect relative telescoping movement of said inner member within said first member to shift said retainer member relatively toward said first outer member and expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member With- 8 in said first outer member in the position to which it has been relatively telescoped; and means releasably retaining, said second outer body member in holding relation to said retainer member.

8. In a well packer: an outer body member; an inner body member extending into said outer member and having a recess; initially retracted packing means on said inner member engageable at one end by said outer member; a retainer member in said recess and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means whereby said inner member can telescope relatively inwardly within said outer member and shift said retainer member relatively toward said outer member and expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said outer member in the position to which it has been relatively telescoped; and releasable means holding said retainer member in said recess coupled to said inner body member.

9. In a well packer: an outer body member; an inner body member extending into said outer member and having a recess; initially retracted packing means on said inner member engageable at one end by said outer member; a retainer member in said recess and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means whereby said inner member can telescope relatively inwardly within said outer member and shift said retainer member relatively toward said outer member and expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said outer member in the position to which it has been relatively telescoped; and releasable meanson said inner member engaging and holding said retainer member in said recess coupled to said inner member and movable from engagement with said retainer member to permit removal of said retainer member from said recess, whereby to allow uncoupling of said retainer member therefrom.

10. In a Well packer: an outer body member; an inner body member extending into said outer member and having a recess; initially retracted packing means on said inner member engageable at one end by said outer member; a retainer member in said recess and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means whereby said inner member can telescope relatively inwardly within said outer member and shift said retainer member relatively toward said outer member and expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said outer member in the position to which it has been relatively telescoped; a sleeve on said inner member engaging and holding said retainer member within said recess coupled to said inner member, said sleeve being movable on said inner member from engagement with said retainer member to permit removal of said retainer member from said inner member recess; and means releasably retaining said sleeve in holding relation to said retainer member.

11. In a well packer: a first outer body member; an inner body member extending into said first outer member; initially retracted packing means on said inner member engageable at one end by said first outer member; retainer means releasably coupled to said inner member and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means; a second outer body member disposed over said inner member and engaging and holding said retainer means coupled to said inner member, said second member having a shoulder engaging said inner member to effect relative telescoping movement of said inner member in one direction within said first member to shift said retainer means relatively toward said first member and expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said first outer member in the position to which it has been relatively telescoped; and means releasably retaining said second body member in holding relation to said retainer means and releasable upon movement of said second body member in the opposite direction relative to said first member to allow movement of 9 said second member from holding relation to said retainer means.

12. In a well packer: a first outer body member; an inner body member extending into said first outer member and having a recess; initially retracted packing means on said inner member engageable at one end by said first outer member; a retainer member in said recess and engageable with the opposite end of said packing means; a second outer body member disposed over said inner member and engaging and holding said retainer member in said recess, said second member having a shoulder engaging said inner member to effect relative telescoping movement of said inner member in one direction within said first member to shift said retainer member relatively toward said first member and expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said inner member within said first outer member in the position to which it has been relatively telescoped; and means releasably retaining said second body member in holding relation to said retainer member and releasable upon movement of said second body member in the opposite direction relative to said first member to allow movement of said second member from holding relation to said retainer member.

13. In a well packer: a lower body member; an intermediate body member extending into said lower member and having a peripheral groove; initially retracted packing means on said intermediate member engageable at its lower end by said lower member ;an outwardly movable retainer ring in said groove engageable with the upper end of said packing means; an upper body member extending over said intermediate member and surrounding said ring to retain said ring in said groove, said upper member having a thrust shoulder engaging said intermediate body member to exert a downward force thereon with said upper member surrounding said ring, whereby said upper member moves said intermediate member downward-1y within said lower member and shifts said ring toward said lower member to expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said intermediate member in its downward position within said lower member; and releasable means preventing movement of said upper member upwardly along said intermediate member from surrounding relation to said ring.

14. In a well packer: a lower body member; an intermediate body member extending into said lower member and having a peripheral groove; initially retracted packing means on said intermediate member en-gageable at its lower end by said lower member; an outwardly movable retainer ring in said groove engageable with the upper end of said packing means; an upper body member extending over said intermediate member and surrounding said ring to retain said ring in said groove, said upper member having a thrust shoulder engaging said intermediate body member to exert a downward force thereon with said upper member surrounding said ring, whereby said upper member moves said intermediate member downwardly within said lower member and shifts said ring toward said lower member to expand said packing means laterally outwardly; lock means retaining said intermediate member in its downward position within said lower member, releasable means preventing movement of said upper member upwardly along said intermediate member from surrounding relation to said ring; and means on said upper member engaging means on said intermediate member, after release of said releasable means and upward move ment of said upper member, to cause said upper member to carry said inner member and the remainder of said well packer upwardly with it.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,882,230 10/1932 Nixon 277-116 2,135,583 11/1938 Layne 277-l16.4 X 3,055,430 9/1962; Campbell 166-196 X 3,136,365 6 /1964 Carter et a1. 166-136 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

D. H. BROWN, Assistant Examiner. 

2. IN A WELL PACKER: AN OUTER BODY MEMBER; AN INNER BODY MEMBER EXTENDING INTO SAID OUTER MEMBER; INITIALLY RETRACTED PACKING MEANS ON SAID INNER MEMBER ENGAGEABLE AT ONE END BY SAID OUTER MEMBER; RETAINER MEANS RELEASABLY COUPLED TO SAID INNER MEMBER AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID PACKING MEANS WHEREBY SAID INNER MEMBER CAN TELESCOPE RELATIVELY INWARDLY WITHIN SAID OUTER MEMBER AND SHIFT SAID RETAINER MEANS RELATIVELY TOWARD SAID OUTER MEMBER AND EXPAND SAID PACKING MEANS LATERALLY OUTWARDLY; LOCK MEANS RETAINING SAID INNER MEMBER WITHIN SAID OUTER MEMBER IN THE POSITION TO WHICH IT HAS BEEN TELESCOPED; AND RELEASABLE MEANS ON SAID INNER MEMBER ENGAGING AND HOLDING SAID RETAINER MEANS COUPLED TO SAID INNER MEMBER AND MOVABLE FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RETAINER MEANS TO PERMIT UNCOUPLING OF SAID RETAINER MEANS FROM SAID INNER MEMBER. 